being heard
DESCRIPTION
BEING HEARD. A guide to action. Contact your legislators. 4 easy ways to Get their attention. 1. Send a letter. They’ll read it, and you’ll probably hear back from them If it’s urgent, fax it! It’ll avoid security delays. 2. Send an email. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
A GUIDE TO ACTION
BEING HEARD
4 EASY WAYS TO GET THEIR ATTENTION
Contact your legislators
1. Send a letter
They’ll read it, and you’ll probably hear back from them
If it’s urgent, fax it! It’ll avoid security delays
2. Send an email
Email is now the most popular (and easiest!) way to reach your legislator
3. Call them on the phone
Even if you can’t speak to a member of Congress, you can get your message passed on to them.
4. Talk face-to-face
Meet in Washington– Members make time for their constituents, and you can try an appointment
Meet in their district office– Meetings are sometime easier away from the Capitol
4 WAYS TO START A DIALOGUE
Express your opinion
------------start a dialogue-------------
1. Participate in local meetings
2. Participate in virtual forums
3. Respond to a survey
4. Get to know staff
COMPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE CONVERSATIONS
Help them listen
Your message should be…
Factual and researched
Clear and concise
Personal
Inclusive of other backgrounds
During your conversation, you should be…
ConstructiveInformed about CongressA listenerCourteousAware of rules of proprietyOpen to compromise
Finally, remember…
Be patient
Be persistent
To enjoy yourself and your active role in our representative democracy!
DO: DON’T:
Schedule your appointment in advance
Be punctual Dress appropriately Prepare adequate materials
(handout and a brief leave-behind)
Stay focused on your issue Provide relevant and specific
examples Follow up after your meeting
Show up or leave too late
Get off trackWear your work bootsBring everyone you
knowSulk if you only meet
with staffMix personal and
professional agendas
DOs and DON’Ts of citizen advocacy
5 TIPS FOR ENGAGEMENT
Develop a relationship
Get to know your legislators, and help them get to know you
1. Invite them to your conservation or farm meetings
2. Invite them to your annual banquets3. Take them on a conservation tour in their
district4. Make a speaking invitation5. 30/6 rule: Invest 30 minutes to contact your
elected official 6 times a year.
1. KNOW YOUR ISSUE2. MAKE THE EFFORT
3. BE HEARD
To sum up:
THIS PRESENTATION HAS BEEN
PROVIDED BY
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
Acknowledgement